Difference Between Bell Peppers and Capsicum

Bell Peppers vs Capsicum

Is there any difference between bell peppers and capsicum? No, there is actually no difference between the two as a bell pepper is just another capsicum. Still, one can come across a slight difference between the two.

Capsicum belongs to flowering plant family named Solanaceae. Capsicum is native to America where it has been cultivated for many years. They are used for many purposes like vegetables, medicine, and spices. Capsicum comes in many names depending on the type and place. It is just called capsicum in India, New Zealand, and Australia. In Britain, it is called red pepper or green pepper or chili pepper. In the U.S. and Canada, the large capsicum form is known as a bell pepper.

The only difference that can be seen between bell peppers and capsicum is in the presence of capsaicin which is a lipophilic chemical that produces a burning sensation in the mouth. Bell peppers do not contain this chemical. The bell pepper lacks capsaicin because of its recessive gene that washes out this chemical. This means that bell pepper does not give the burning sensation experienced from capsicum.

When talking about the usage of bell peppers and capsicum, they are very much used in medicine. They are mainly used in medicines as analgesics and circulatory stimulants.

In recent times, there is an aerosol extracted from bell peppers and capsicum which is known as pepper spray or capsicum spray. This is a non-lethal means for incapacitating people. Capsicum is also widely used in dishes that give a soothing flavor and taste.

Christopher Columbus is credited with coining the name “pepper”. The name “pepper” was mainly used in Europe for all species of plants that were hot, and later it was extended to the new capsicum genius.

Summary:

1.Capsicum belongs to flowering plant family named Solanaceae. Capsicum is native to America where it has been cultivated for many years.
2.In the U.S. and Canada, the large capsicum form is known as a bell pepper.
3.The only difference that can be seen between bell peppers and capsicum is in the presence of capsaicin which is a lipophilic chemical that produces a burning sensation in the mouth. Bell peppers do not contain this chemical.
4.The name “pepper” was mainly used in Europe for all species of plants that were hot, and later it was extended to the new capsicum genius.

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